victim airlifted to Holmes Regional Medical Center

Michael Wolfe, 66, of Cocoa, suffered serious injuries Monday afternoon about 4 p.m. after the hood of the vehicle he was driving flipped up causing him to lose visibility and crash into the Banana River.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Michael Wolfe, 66, of Cocoa, suffered serious injuries Monday afternoon about 4 p.m. after the hood of the vehicle he was driving flipped up causing him to lose visibility and crash into the Banana River.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident began when Wolfe, who was driving a 1980 Jeep, and another vehicle were traveling eastbound on State Road 528.

“The hood of Wolfe’s Jeep was not secured and came free, striking the windshield and obstructing the view of the driver,” said Lt. Kim Montes of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Wolfe then lost control and the left side of his Jeep struck the right side of a 2018 Jeep SUV driven by Richard Hattal, 51, of Patrick Air Force Base.

Wolfe’s vehicle then left the roadway to the right and overturned into the Banana River.

“Wolfe was trapped in the vehicle (his leg was pinned), but his head remained above the water,” said Lt. Montes.